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Sire vs KSD proto J

#21
bking0217 said:
Unless Sire really pulled out something magical, I don't think someone like Fodera is going to have their "top of the food chain" status threatened by a $299 bass. JMO
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No, probably not, but Fender had best be paying attention. ;) And if you find a Sire for $299, BUY IT! (I'd say darned near "magical" at the price point, but yeah, it's not exactly Fodera they're trying to challenge.)

Edit: $299 is the base list price for the M3, got mine for $351, from Thomann, the extra was of course overseas shipping, taxes, and fees.
 
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#22
bking0217 said:
Unless Sire really pulled out something magical, I don't think someone like Fodera is going to have their "top of the food chain" status threatened by a $299 bass. JMO
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Hmmmm didn't know Fodera made J bass clones...HOWEVER, I have played Foderas and uhm, my Carvins trumped them easily sound wise....oh wait, you must be talking price points, well yeah, they are much less expensive....:meh:
 
#26
bking0217 said:
The advertisements in Bass Player are saying the new Marcus Millers are $299.
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Wow. A great deal gets even better.

Edit: Ah, yes, the base price of the M3 is $299, I think it always has been. I paid $351 for mine, from Thomann, but that of course included overseas shipping and whatever fees / taxes applied. So "a real bummer", still just the same great deal it has been from the start, rats. :D I love my M3, it's a fast agile light little sports car of a bass - and access to all those high frets is so good I kind of get used to having and using them, then miss them on other basses.
 
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#27
I noticed on the link that was posted earlier in the thread that they actually start at $399. Could be the best thing going if all the hype is true. I would have to actually lay hands on it before I would buy one since I have zero experience with Sire and wouldn't consider gambling with a mail-order bass. That's how I got burned on my Dean guitar.
 
#28
bking0217 said:
I noticed on the link that was posted earlier in the thread that they actually start at $399. Could be the best thing going if all the hype is true. I would have to actually lay hands on it before I would buy one since I have zero experience with Sire and wouldn't consider gambling with a mail-order bass. That's how I got burned on my Dean guitar.
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Only speaking from my sample size of 2, and reports from others on here, I would have to say the quality of Sire basses very easily outstrips the quality of just about anything Dean has put out since Dean himself left that company way back when - they're not trying to compete with Dean, or Squire, or SX/Rondo, they're going right after Fender's bread and butter. IMHO. Better preamp, even, at less than half the price.
 
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#29
bholder said:
Only speaking from my sample size of 2, and reports from others on here, I would have to say the quality of Sire basses very easily outstrips the quality of just about anything Dean has put out since Dean himself left that company way back when - they're not trying to compete with Dean, or Squire, or SX/Rondo, they're going right after Fender's bread and butter. IMHO. Better preamp, even, at less than half the price.
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I understand. I'm just reluctant to try an unfamiliar (to me) brand through the mail after the experience with the Dean. Eventually I might be convinced, just not yet. However, I am glad they're working out for you. I went back and re-read my posts and I came off as a jerk, which was not my intention. I was not trying to imply that Sires were garbage or anything to that effect.
 
#30
/\/\3phist0 said:
Note this is from HIS website. He supports the effort with more than licensing his name. Nonetheless they are his "squiers" subcontractors that he has little to no control over. It is more akin to "Tobias" aka gibson.
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This is quoted from his forum. I know I'm not going nuts.

Ok, listen, please! KSD means Ken Smith Design. Me, Ken Smith is not making any of these or assigning anything, period. The former Brooklyn Gear came up with the idea about 6 years ago and contacted me for design help hence the name 'KSD'. The product known as KSD Brooklyn is once again yet another company but this one is in Japan. Sleek Elite who also happens to be the Ken Smith distributor for Japan and all of Asia wanted to make a higher end KSD model and with my input and some supplies from our shop. They have 'rented' as well the name 'KSD'.

So, anything out there KSD is someone else hiring me for a fee for design and name use.

D'Andrea has made an agreement with Brooklyn Gear to take over the product that THEY (BG) were selling for the last 5 years. In the first 3-4 years the product was made in Korea. In the last year or so they have been coming from a shop in China which from what I have seen to date is doing a better job overall. I had nothing to do with assigning of anything to anyone. It's not my product and never was.

Need a new Neck for a Korean or China made KSD? Call D'Andrea. I have nothing to do with the making, selling or servicing of this or any of the products produced by Sleek Elite in Japan. I/we are just a designer for Hire in this case.

It would be like calling Eddie Bauer if your Ford Explorer broke down. Or better yet, prior to his passing, calling Les Paul if your Gibson Neck broke.

So, for anything KSD related, contact D'Andrea, please. This is their product now. I am sure they will be helpful when you call.
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Bottom line is if you call him for anything related to KSD, expect to get an earful!
 
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#31
bking0217 said:
I understand. I'm just reluctant to try an unfamiliar (to me) brand through the mail after the experience with the Dean. Eventually I might be convinced, just not yet. However, I am glad they're working out for you. I went back and re-read my posts and I came off as a jerk, which was not my intention. I was not trying to imply that Sires were garbage or anything to that effect.
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No problems at all, I didn't take it that way, and I often unintentionally come off as a jerk myself. I doubt you would be disappointed, but I understand your hesitation as well. I've bought lots of instruments without trying first, and generally had good luck, my good experiences far outnumber the bad, and I'd say the Sires are both at the very top end of the scale, very impressed.
 
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#34
Got my fretless KSD Proto J today. Beautiful cosmetically!

As stated, my concern is the evenness of the fingerboard. Convex/concave areas can cause buzzes when trying to set the strings low, & I prefer low action! I stared down the neck like a gun barrel to see if I could see any anomalies in the sun reflection. Seems smooth & even as glass but I am no expert. The strings were set low, & I can play this bass with faster technique than any other, but I get lots of fingerboard buzzing, so I will still have to check it out with a luthier. Maybe the strings are unreallistically low, but I don't wanna raise the strings too much higher to get rid of the buzz.

Radius is much flatter than the 13.75" advertised--a plus to me. Also the outer strings are not too close to the edges, so they will never get pulled or pushed off. The flatter radius & extra room on the sides might account for complaints about the 'bigassness' of the neck. I like it.

Sound? In passive mode it is dissapointing. Light sounding & low output. But my strings are fat beams & the pickups are set very low. When I change the strings I will raise them. Also, in the passive mode it doesn't have a tone control. (My Marcus Miller bass was the same, I added one where the front jack output was & had the jack moved to bottom/side.) Can't get the Jacko sound using the bridge pickup without a passive tone control.

Active? I think using those stock pickups, the active preamp is a marked improvement, an asset. (My Ibby SR 406 & Squier DAJV's active preamps were a huge liability!) Not to say an Aguilar on this KSD wouldn't be better. In the active mode I could also mess around with the active treble & bass & get close enough to the Jacko sound using the bridge pickup. Normally I'd get rid of the pickups going passive & using an MXR 108, but this pickup/active preamp combo might actually work. We'll see

It is up to what the luthier says about the action & fingerboard if its a keeper. If it ain't I will be very dissapointed, as a fretless Sire isn't an alternative.
 
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#36
I like the Fodera idea, if you can find me one for $500. I'm looking for under 500 so I will have a bass I can leave in the car at work, leave at the practice space, etc.the KSD is basically out. The 5 string Sire will be 535 after tax/shipping, but have only heard good things. A new runner in the race is a used G&L Tribute L2500. I haven't playes a G&L since my 80s L1000, which I got rid of probably 20 years ago. I always liked their pickups, and a used tribute can be found well under 500. Any thoughts on the newest runner in the race?
 
#38
Any particular neck problems with KSD proto Js other than a stripped TR nut. I mean are the TRs known for not holding up? I have less than 2 weeks to return the bass so if anyone can give me a heads up........
 

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